VR Tech Times

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India and the JSW Group are in the final stages of discussions for a manufacturing joint venture, we have learned. The two companies are likely to sign a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) within the next two months. The proposed venture is currently being discussed as a 51:49 joint venture, with the JSW Group expected to hold the majority stake. Emails seeking comments were sent to Skoda Auto Volkswagen India and the JSW Group on Tuesday. Neither company had responded till the time of publishing. Autocar Professional, our sister publication , understands senior global executives from Skoda Auto and Volkswagen are expected to visit India in the second fortnight of August. The proposed alliance with the JSW Group is expected to be among the key subjects on the agenda as the two sides work towards signing the non-binding MoU. The proposed partnership comes as Skoda Auto Volkswagen India prepares its next round of investments in electrification and ...

Hennessey has unveiled the Blackbird, its latest hypercar inspired by the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft. While the Venom F5 was developed with outright speed and power as its priority, the Blackbird instead places greater emphasis on driver engagement through a naturally aspirated V8, rear-wheel-drive layout, a 6-speed manual gearbox and a screen-free cabin. Production will be limited to 71 units, and customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2029. Naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 revs to over 9,000rpm Targets sub-1,360kg dry weight and 354kph top speed Screen-free cabin with analogue dials and manual gearbox Hennessey Blackbird: Engine and performance Powering the Blackbird is an all-new 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8, developed with Ilmor Engineering, the company known for its work in IndyCar and NASCAR. Hennessey says the engine will produce 811-862hp, rev beyond 9,000rpm and be the world’s most powerful production naturally aspirated V8. Power is sent excl...

Yamaha has reintroduced the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition colour schemes on the R15 V4 and MT-15, responding to what the brand says is strong customer demand. The livery replicates the graphics on the Yamaha YZR-M1 factory MotoGP machine and has previously appeared on the R15 and MT-15. MT-15 MotoGP Edition costs up to Rs 13,000 more than standard colours No mechanical changes on either MotoGP Edition FZ-S Fi Hybrid and FZ-S Fi get new colours at unchanged prices Yamaha MotoGP Editions and new colours Alongside the MotoGP Editions, Yamaha has also added new colour options to the FZ-S Fi Hybrid and FZ-S Fi. The R15 V4 MotoGP Edition is priced at Rs 1.76 lakh, making it up to Rs 3,000 more expensive than the standard colour options. Meanwhile, the MT-15 MotoGP Edition is priced at Rs 1.77 lakh, making it up to Rs 13,000 more expensive than some colourways of the standard MT-15. Both are purely cosmetic updates, with no changes to the mechanical package. Both bikes are powered by ...

When the Scorpio N went on sale in 2022 as the second generation of the Scorpio nameplate, Mahindra did not retire its predecessor. Instead, Mahindra updated the prior-gen model on many fronts and rebranded it the Scorpio Classic , which serves as a tougher, no-frills alternative to the Scorpio N. If you're confused about which Scorpio to go for, we've assembled a list of the Classic’s notable strengths and weaknesses to help you decide. Pros Refined engine Throttle responses are also sharp Among the key changes to the Scorpio Classic is the usage of a newer 2.2-litre diesel engine that churns out 130hp and 300Nm, and is mated solely to a 6-speed manual gearbox. As noted in our Scorpio Classic review , this engine is quite silent and transmits barely any vibrations to the cabin. The gearbox is also cable-operated for better sound insulation. It also goes without saying that the Scorpio Classic feels punchy to drive, with most of the diesel engine’s torque flowing in from as l...

Jeep India is offering discounts of up to Rs 1.65 lakh on the Compass and Meridian this month. The offers include cash discounts, corporate benefits and other special schemes. However, there are no discounts on the Wrangler , while the Grand Cherokee has already sold out for 2026. Disclaimer: Discounts vary from city to city and are subject to stock availability. Please check with your local nearest Jeep dealership for the exact figures. Jeep Meridian discounts in August 2026 Up to Rs 1.65 lakh benefits The Jeep Meridian is available with benefits of up to Rs 1.65 lakh in August. Buyers of MY24 models can also avail corporate benefits of up to Rs 1.3 lakh. In addition, doctors and leasing companies can get benefits of up to Rs 30,000. The Meridian is powered by a 170hp, 2-litre diesel engine paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed automatic gearbox. Higher variants are also offered with 4x4. Prices range from Rs 23.33 lakh to Rs 38.26 lakh. Jeep Compass discounts in Augus...

Vida , Hero MotoCorp ’s electric two-wheeler brand, has surpassed the 3 lakh retail sales milestone in the Indian market. As per the latest Vahan numbers, cumulative retail sales from November 2022 till August 1, 2026 are 300,458 units. Vida sold its first 1 lakh units in around 33 months Whereas, the 2 lakh to 3 lakh sales milestone took just 5 months With its strong growth trajectory, Vida could garner over 2-lakh sales in a single year for the first time. Vida’s BaaS has been a key sales driver Vida currently has coverage across India with over 900 touchpoints The surge in demand for the Vida e-scooters is seen in the strong growth, particularly over the past year. While the first 1 lakh units were sold in around 33 months, the run from 1 lakh to 2 lakh units took a little over seven months. Now the last 1 lakh units – from 2 lakh to 3 lakh – have taken just five months, reflecting the surging demand for Vida e-scooters this year. With July (22,883 units) being the new monthly high...

Kia has started accepting official bookings for the upcoming Sorento SUV from today. This comes a few weeks after unofficial bookings had commenced last month, as per our dealer sources. Customers can book the Sorento through their nearest Kia dealership or by visiting the brand's website. from Autocar India https://ift.tt/uVzCvwK

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Double-digit fuel economy figures – I haven’t seen those on my daily commute in years! Part of the reason is that I’ve been driving mostly EVs lately, and they don’t use any fuel. And the other is that there are so few diesels , and those that remain have taken quite a hit on the economy front with all those emissions upgrades and various weight increases. So imagine my surprise when this large, heavy, super-luxurious limousine showed me upwards of 12kpl on my traffic-heavy 9km commute.  Smooth 2.0-litre diesel delivers exceptional economy even in this large and heavy limousine. The fuel economy is but one of many bright blips on a limo that wastes no time showing you why it’s India’s favourite luxury car. And that’s despite its on-road price knocking on the door of a crore. It looks tremendous, more so in this Verde Silver paint, a shade I’m glad Mercedes added to its otherwise monochrome palette. It’s big but not ungainly, and its 18-inch wheels are a triumph of design - looki...

The TVS Ronin has posted its strongest-ever quarterly performance, with wholesales of 28,619 units in Q1 FY27 – a 97 percent year-on-year increase over the 14,530 units sold in the same period last year.  TVS Ronin posts 97 percent YoY growth with 28,619 units in Q1 FY27 Holds a 36 percent share of the 200-250cc segment On course to cross 1 lakh annual sales for the first time in FY27 TVS Ronin sales surge The segment itself grew 107 percent YoY – the fastest of any displacement band The result gives the Ronin an 8 percent share of TVS's total motorcycle dispatches for the quarter, doubling its 4 percent share from a year ago. Cumulative sales since launch have crossed the 1.75 lakh mark. The Ronin's strong numbers are partly a reflection of what's happening more broadly in the 200-250cc segment, which saw total sales of 78,880 units in Q1 FY27 – more than double the 38,157 units sold in the same period last year, making it the fastest-growing displacement band in the two-...

Somewhere in the folds of the Western Ghats, where the Mumbai-Pune Expressway peels off from Lonavala into quieter country, a piece of land is being reshaped into what will, by this time next year, become Maharashtra’s first race track. Except to call it just a race track undersells the ambition entirely. What is rising here, on the grounds of the Nanoli Stud Farm, is a race resort, where cars are not just driven or raced, but lived with. The Dhunjibhoy family has owned this land for decades, ever since the Nanoli Stud and Agricultural Farm was set up in the early 1990s. Khushroo Dhunjibhoy has spent a lifetime around shipping and thoroughbreds, and it is that same instinct for breeding something exceptional that he and his son, Zahir, have turned toward motorsport. Aerial view of Nanoli before the tarmac is laid. This 3km circuit will be Maharashtra’s first and a haven for enthusiasts in western India. Their plan is not a bare circuit with a pit lane bolted on. It is villas, high-end...

Honda has been steadily expanding its premium motorcycle portfolio in India and recently unveiled multiple new models across different segments. The brand is expected to launch the XR300 L and XR300 Rally in the Indian market in November 2026, marking the brand's entry into the entry-level dual-sport and adventure motorcycle segment. Honda XR300 L and XR300 Rally are expected to launch in India in November 2026. XR300 L expected price: Rs 2.00 lakh and Rs 2.10 lakh (ex-showroom). XR300 Rally expected price: Rs 2.20 lakh to Rs 2.30 lakh (ex-showroom). Both bikes use the same 293.5cc engine. The Honda XR300 L is expected to be priced between Rs 2.00 lakh and Rs 2.10 lakh (ex-showroom), while the more adventure-focused XR300 Rally could carry an expected price tag of Rs 2.20 lakh to Rs 2.30 lakh (ex-showroom). While Honda has not officially confirmed the launch timeline or pricing, the two motorcycles are expected to cater to riders looking for capable yet accessible machines. The XR...

Renault Group India CEO Stephane Deblaise took charge of the company in September last year, and since then, the carmaker has been busy expanding and refreshing its India line-up. In this interview, Deblaise talks about the response to the new Renault Duster and the possibility of a more affordable automatic variant, the company's upcoming product plans, progress on the Bridger compact SUV concept, and how Renault plans to strengthen its position in the Indian market. On the response to the 1.0-litre Duster It’s still early, so we don’t know the exact response, but it’s a key part of our phased strategy, which was to first focus on the 160hp DCT that is the high-end version in the ICE car. And then we want to introduce the 100hp, the more ‘regular’ car, which is less expensive. That Rs 10.5 lakh price is very, very good for people who want to enter the B+ SUV segment, and it has very good fuel efficiency. Moreover, the Duster is a very good car, and people are loyal to good cars...

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